Voice of the people (letter).

Care For Veterans

October 31, 1999|By Alan G. Lance, National commander, The American Legion.

WASHINGTON — As the national commander of the 2.8-million member American Legion, I commend the Chicago Tribune for espousing our nation's "solemn obligation" to provide health care for veterans. But an Oct. 4 editorial, endorsing the closure of Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals, is based on a myopic analysis ("Caring for veterans, not hospitals").

Improving health care for veterans is not as simple as closing VA hospitals and reallocating the building-maintenance costs to outpatient care elsewhere. The government must first survey the needs of the veteran community and receive input from veterans service organizations and employee groups. This process is an integral facet of the Veterans Millennium Health Care Act recently passed in the House.

Keep in mind that a building may cease to exist as an in-patient VA hospital but may well be needed as a nursing-care facility, a counseling center or for another critical use.